(jeb@oscalemag.com). - O Scale Trains Magazine Online

It’s hard to believe that OST is now fiveyears old. When I came on board back inSeptember of 2002, I really had no ideawhat was in store for me, the bushy-tailedopinionated purveyor of swill oriented tothe beginner that was “Easements”.Now, I look back at it all and have tobe at least bemused. I never thought ofmyself as an editor of a model magazine,but that’s where the twisted path has ledme. Along the way I’ve met many of you,and the unexpected epiphany has beenthat I have learned much from you folks.Hardly the result a self-appointed Oracleexpected.You have taught me to listen, afteropening my mouth (usually only toexchange feet), and to be just a bit morereceptive to trying stuff even after experiencehas formulated opinion. After apretty poor experience with early DCC,for example, I’m giving it a secondchance. I probably would never have triedit again as a private O Scale citizen butmaybe I’m a little less set in my ways thanI was, especially when so many of you are(thankfully) collectively beating me intosubmission.You’ve taught me that a whole newgeneration enthusiastically pursues their OScale passions, a generation I (and manyof us in my “age group”) didn’t even knowexisted. You younger guys may have differentviews about things, the desire forready-to-run gear, electronics with all thepossibilities, and modern-era modelingto name a few, but I like the cut of yourjib. What you folks are doing is healthyand good, even if we grizzled folk mightgrouse about it. I’m glad you’re here.You’ve all taught me that my way isn’tthe “right way” for everyone, which canbe a hard concept to understand andaccept. One person might pursue “excellence”,another calls it “fun”; I’ve oftencalled it “level of neurosis”. It really canonly be called “satisfaction”, and that’s adefinition only applicable to one’s self, notothers. At the same time, this realizationmakes it sound like we’re a pretty combativebunch. Well, we are. That’s what happensin an arena where the passions runhigh. That’s also what’s right about ourscale, and the hobby in general. That passionis why O Scale currently is as healthyas it has ever been.So, if it sounds like “Easements” andmy time with all of you as Editor of thesepages has taught me more than I mayhave taught you, it’s probably becauseit has. On the occasion of our five-yearanniversary together, I can’t resist a littlereflection, nor can I let this occasion passwithout thanking you all. By the way, beafraid. The tail is still pretty bushy.…and Since You’ve AskedMany of you remember the little lad onthe cover of OST #13, our second anniversaryissue. I’ve had more than a fewqueries about what he was doing, trainwise,as our fifth-year issue approached,so here you go. Tad Scace is deeply intoThomas the Tank Engine, riding trains withMommy and Daddy, and testing the lawsof physics with his Lionel stuff (cleverly setup in the same room as my O Scale railroad-a-building).His railroad interests arestill running strong. Here, he takes a breakand switches some hideously expensiverolling stock (That’ll make the collectorscringe!) on the CTRRA. We’ll keep youposted as the situation degrades.Let’s go exploring!uMar/Apr ’07- O Scale Trains • 11